OREANDA-NEWS. July 23, 2010. The volume of bilateral trade between Ukraine and Turkey, have been reduced as a result of the crisis, can be largely restored as early as this year. The Vice Prime Minister Serhiy Tigipko expressed this opinion during a meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Turkey in Ukraine Ahmet Bulent Merich.

According to Vice Prime Minister, last year the trade turnover between Ukraine and Turkey decreased by 53%, but in January-May, a rapid growth in turnover was noted.

"For Ukraine, Turkey is an important trading partner, which has the second largest volume of exports. The dynamic development of Ukrainian-Turkish cooperation demonstrates the great potential of bilateral partnership between our countries" – the Vice Prime Minister said.

Serhiy Tigipko, who also is co-chair of the Intergovernmental Ukrainian-Turkish commission for economic and trade cooperation, supported the idea of Ukrainian-Turkish business forum and will personally contribute to its implementation. "This forum could significantly revitalize the business contacts between our countries and facilitate investment flows from Turkey to Ukraine" - the official noted.

Serhiy Tigipko convinced that by the end of 2010 the progress in negotiations between the two countries on visa-free regime and establishment of a free trade area would be significant.